Originally hosted on the The SF Bay Area Astronomy Connection (TAC) website, restored using the WayBackMachine archival, reformatted by Akarsh Simha. This article was the basis of a talk given by Steve Gottlieb at the 2007 Golden State Star Party.
1) Sharpless HII regions
Object | RA | Dec | Size | Mag | Const | Notes |
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17 24.7 | -34 12 | 50x40 | Sco | Brightest section of Faint open cluster Pismis 24 to S. |
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19 49.0 | +18 23 | 15x3 | Sge | "Little California Nebula" is a faint, 4’ shallow arc between 2 mag 8.5 stars. Located 25’ ESE of mag 3.7 Delta Sagittae. |
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20 12.1 | +38 21 | 20x10 | Cyg | Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888) is a huge 18’x11’ oval, with knots and tendrils, in a rich Cygnus star field. Use OIII filter. | ||
20 22.2 | +40 15 | Cyg | Use very low x and H-beta or UHC filter. |
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20 33.9 | +45 39 | 9x7 | Cyg | Very irregular, relatively easy HII region, 10’ diameter, surrounding mag 9 star. | ||
20 59.3 | +44 31 | 120x100 | Cyg | Use low x & OIII filter to view the North American nebula. Highest contrast around "Gulf of Mexico" and "Baja" region |
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21 53.5 | +47 16 | 12x12 | Cyg | The Cocoon Nebula (IC 5146) is a large, milky glow surrounding 2 mag 9 stars. Use a H-beta filter. |
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22 19.1 | +56 05 | 30x20 | Cep | With an OIII filter this huge HII region appears roughly 20’x15’, elongated E-W. | ||
23 16.0 | +60 28 | 60x50 | Cas | Huge, faint curving arc, ~35’x8’, extended N-S. Open cluster |
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23 20.7 | +61 12 | 15x8 | Cas | The Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) is a low surf br HII region, curves mostly north of a mag 8.5 star. Located 35’ SW |
Further Reading
- Adventures in Deep Space - Sharpless HII
- Sharpless Images
- Sharpless Catalogue in pdf format (Editor’s Note: Resource missing)
- How to Observe Cosmic Bubbles - Feb ‘06 Astronomy - Steve Gottlieb
2) Extragalactic Globulars
Object | RA | Dec | Size | Mag | Const | Notes |
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00 01.8 | -15 28 | Cet | The brightest gc in the Wolf-Lundmark-Melotte system is a mag 16 "star" on the W side of the galaxy. | |||
00 32.8 | +39 35 | 10" | 13.7 | And | Brightest gc in M31, 2.5° SW of center. Out of focus "star" forming a small triangle with 2 mag 12/13 stars. |
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00 41.0 | +41 14 | 3.2" | 14.2 | And | "Soft" mag 14.5 star located 30’ W of the core of M31. This gc is the 2nd or 3rd brightest in M31. |
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00 41.0 | +40 36 | 3.6" | 14.3 | And | Visible as a mag 14.2 "star" in a small "W" asterism and near the SW tip of M31. Similar brightness to G78 above. |
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01 34.8 | +30 22 | 15.9 | Tri | Brightest gc in M33 though only 16th mag and stellar. Needs a finder chart to pin down location. |
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02 39.8 | -34 15 | 1.3 | 12.6 | For | This small 12th magnitude gc is the brightest of 5 in the Fornax Dwarf. | |
02 40.1 | -34 32 | 0.8 | 13.6 | For | Third brightest gc in the Fornax Dwarf, roughly mag 13.5 and very small. | |
02 42.3 | -34 06 | 1.0 | 13.4 | For | Second brightest gc in the Fornax Dwarf and similar to Fornax-4. |
Further Reading
- Hodge Atlas of the Andromeda Galaxy
- Observations of M31 Globulars
- Extragalactic Globulars
- Observations of M33 Globulars
3) Palomar/Obscured Globulars
Object | RA | Dec | Size | Mag | Const | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
15 16.1 | -00 07 | 6.9 | 11.8 | Ser | Extremely low surface brightness gc located 30’ south of mag 5.6 4 Serpentis. | |
18 01.8 | -27 50 | 3.5 | 9.9 | Sgr | Recently discovered gc just 21’ WNW of open cluster |
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18 10.7 | -07 12 | 7 | 10.3 | Ser | ||
18 41.5 | -19 50 | 4.7 | 11.2 | Sgr | One of the easier Palomar globulars, roughly 2’ in diameter. A large scope may partially resolve. |
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18 55.1 | -22 42 | 3.9 | 9.2 | Sgr | ||
19 17.7 | -34 40 | 2.6 | 12 | Sgr | Low surf br glow with no central concentration. This gc may have been a member of the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal gx |
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19 28.7 | -30 21 | 2.5 | 12.3 | Sgr | Extremely low surf br glow, 2’ diameter in a rich star field. Very difficult to pick out. |
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19 41.7 | -34 00 | 5.0 | 12.4 | Sgr | Very faint, round glow, just 1.0’-1.5’ diameter. Lies close to Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal gx, discovered in 1994. |
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19 45.2 | -08 00 | 8.0 | 9.8 | Aql | This Palomar gc appears as a diffuse, irregular glow 4’ SSE of a mag 9 star. Try to resolve at high power. |
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21 46.5 | -21 15 | 2.9 | 11.7 | Cap | Irregular 3’ glow close NNW of 3 mag 12 stars. May have been captured from the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal gx |
Further Reading
- Observations of Palomar Globulars
- Palomar Globs - Images and Sketches
- Observations of Obscure Globulars
- A Tour of Obscure Summer Globulars - Aug ‘02 S&T - Steve Gottlieb
4) Local Group Dwarf Galaxies
Object | RA | Dec | Size | Mag | Const | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
00 01.9 | -15 27 | 11.5x4.0 | 10.6 | Cet | WLM system is a difficult, very low contrast galaxy spread out over 10’x5’, elongated N-S without central concentration | |
00 20.4 | +59 18 | 6.3x5.1 | 11.0 | Cas | Large, low surf br hazy region with no concentration and a mag 13 star superimposed. Only 4° from the galactic plane. |
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00 33.2 | +48 30 | 13.2x7.8 | 9.5 | Cas | Satellite system of M31 with a very low surface brightness | |
00 39.0 | +48 20 | 11.7x10.0 | 9.2 | Cas | Relatively bright and large satellite system of M31. Its brightest gc is only mag 16.5 and located 8’ N of center. |
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01 04.8 | +02 07 | 16.2x14.5 | 9.2 | Cet | The Cetus system appears as an irregular hazy region with a brighter section to the NE . | |
15 08.8 | +67 11 | 41x26 | 10.9 | UMi | Very tough dwarf elliptical with extremely low surf br. Look for subtle brightening in a low power field. |
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17 20.2 | +57 55 | 35.5x24.5 | 10 | Dra | The Draco Dwarf is a large, very low surf bright member of the Local Group, ~15’x10’, with several stars superimposed |
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19 30.0 | -17 41 | 3.2x1.5 | 15 | Sgr | The Sagittarius Dwarf Irregular is a difficult 3’ roundish glow nestled in a rich Milky Way field. Very difficult to identify. |
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19 45.0 | -14 48 | 15.5x13.5 | 8.8 | Sgr | Barnard’s Galaxy has a low, irregular surf br, ~14’ in length. Use OIII filter to search for 2 small HII regions at N end. |
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23 28.6 | +14 45 | 5.0x2.7 | 12.6 | Peg | The Pegasus dwarf is just a very low surf br hazy region with no concentration, roughly 4’x2’. |
Further Reading
- SEDS page on Local Group Galaxies</a
- Barnard’s Galaxy in depth
- Observing the Local Group of Galaxies - Tom Polakis in "Galaxies and the Universe"
5) Compact galaxy groups
Object | RA | Dec | Size | Mag | Const | Notes |
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12 12.3 | +29 11 | 12.2 | Com | "The Box" consists of 4 galaxies - |
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13 53.4 | +40 17 | 11 | CVn | One of the best Hicksons contains Easy to locate 5’ SE a mag 6.5 star. |
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15 59.2 | +20 46 | 14.3 | Ser | Seyfert’s Sextet is Use high power to resolve 3 individual members. |
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16 28.4 | +32 51 | 13.6 | Her | Hickson 82 consists of the trio A 4th 16 mag galaxy is close to 6161. |
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16 49.2 | +53 25 | 14.6 | Dra | 5 extremely faint mag 15-16 galaxies in a 3.5’ chain. View is severely hampered by a mag 9 star just 2’ NE! |
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16 52.8 | +81 38 | 14.9 | UMi | Remarkable group of 5 or more extremely faint galaxies in a 7’ chain. Located 30’ SE mag 4.2 Epsilon Ursa Minoris |
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19 52.1 | -30 49 | 13.1 | Sgr | ESO 461-007 is the brightest of 4 galaxies within 3’. Use high power to resolve. |
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22 02.1 | -31 59 | 11.4 | PsA | Bright quartet containing the interacting system |
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22 36.1 | +33 57 | 12.6 | Peg | A 6" can resolve 3 gxs in Stephan’s Quintet and a 10" or 11" may resolve all 5 members. Located 30’ SSW of N7331. |
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23 47.4 | -02 18 | 12.9 | Psc | Quartet of IC galaxies with brightest member Other members include |
Further Reading
- Ray Cash’s compilation of Hickson observations
- Observations of Interesting Hickson Groups
- Observations of Shakhbazian Compact Groups of Compact Galaxies
- Exploring Hickson Compact Groups - Mar ‘99 S&T - Steve Gottlieb
6) Arp interacting pairs
Object | RA | Dec | Size | Mag | Const | Notes |
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00 06.4 | -13 25 | 0.9x0.5 | 13.9 | Cet | Double system containing elongated |
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00 01.4 | +31 26 | 1.2x0.9 | 13.3 | Peg | Arp 112 consists of a close interacting pair of small galaxies, |
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13 58.6 | +37 26 | 2.9x1.5 | 11.4 | CVn | Look for a very faint dust lane and arm on the W side of |
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14 17.0 | +36 34 | 0.9x0.9 | 13.4 | Boo | Consists of |
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15 26.1 | +41 41 | 1.8x0.7 | 12.2 | Boo | Nearly merged double system with |
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15 34.5 | +15 12 | 1.7x1.3 | 12.1 | Ser | Bright double system forms a striking double with |
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16 58.5 | +58 56 | 1.3x1.2 | 13.3 | Dra | ||
18 13.0 | +68 21 | 2.1x0.8 | 13.1 | Dra | Double galaxy in a common envelope consisting of |
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22 28.6 | -24 50 | 2.3x1.4 | 11.9 | Aqr | ||
23 36.2 | +02 09 | 1.9x1.4 | 12.5 | Psc | Just 4’ NW of a mag 5.7 star is a 1.8’ pair with brighter |
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23 47.1 | +29 29 | 0.8x0.5 | 12 | Peg | This is a |
Further Reading
- The Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies
- Dennis Webb’s Arp site
- Martin Schoenball - images, sketches and observing notes
- Arp Sampler with notes from Steve Gottlieb
- Ray Cash’s observations of 100 Brightest Arps
7) Abell Galaxy Clusters
Object | RA | Dec | Size | Mag | Const | Notes |
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01 52.7 | +36 09 | 120 | 13.3 | And | Relatively loose Abell with over 50 galaxies visible in an 18-inch. Core includes |
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02 25.8 | +41 53 | 40 | 13.3 | And | Brightest members NGC 906, 910, 911, 912 strung out on a 20’ string. Located 30’ SW of |
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03 18.6 | +41 31 | 30 | 12.5 | Per | Rich Perseus cluster with brightest gx 300 galaxies observed by Albert Highe |
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10 36.8 | -27 32 | Hya | One of the nearest and easily viewed rich clusters. Core includes |
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11 44.5 | +19 50 | 30 | 13.5 | Leo | One the richest clusters for amateurs. Core incudes |
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12 59.8 | +27 59 | 120 | 13.3 | Com | The richest cluster for amateurs. Center on the two brightest members, |
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15 22.7 | +27 43 | 30 | 15.6 | CrB | At 1 billion light years, the most distant cluster visible in an 18-inch scope and one of the most challenging! | |
16 05.1 | +17 45 | 40 | 13.8 | Her | Rich, irregular cluster, ~500 million l.y. Includes |
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16 28.2 | +40 54 | 60 | 13.9 | Her | Includes |
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16 28.6 | +39 31 | 40 | 13.9 | Her | Swarm of faint, dimunitive galaxies surrounding giant cD galaxy |
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23 47.7 | -28 08 | 12.6 | Scl | Brightest member, IC 5358, located 16’ W of Delta Scl (V = 4.5). Nearby is |
Further Reading
- Best of the Abell Galaxy Clusters from Adventures in Deep Space
- Saguaro Astronomy List and observations of Abell Clusters
- Andreas Domenico survey of Abell Galaxy Clusters
- Albert Highe’s survey of Abell 426
- On the Edge - The Corona Borealis Galaxy Cluster - May ‘05 S&T - Steve Gottlieb
- Exploring the Pisces-Perseus Supercluster - Jan ‘01 S&T - Steve Gottlieb
8) HII regions in External Galaxies
Object | RA | Dec | Size | Mag | Const | Notes |
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00 14.9 | -39 12 | Scl | Near the "core" of NGC 55 are 2 small HII knots. More faint knots are along the fainter E end. |
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00 47.6 | -25 17 | Scl | Remarkable dust structure and mottling, particularly on the SW extension where 3 faint HII knots are visible. | |||
01 34.5 | +30 47 | 1.9x1.2 | Tri | Bright HII region on NE end of M33. A dozen more HII regions incl |
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07 28.9 | +69 13 | 0.4 | Cam | At the SW end of the low surf bright gx NGC 2366, is a very bright HII knot , ~15" in size. Try a UHC filter. |
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07 37.1 | +65 42 | Cam | Brightest of several HII regions in |
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11 11.5 | +55 40 | Cam | A few brighter patches or knots are visible along the major axis of M108 with a prominent HII knot along the W side. | |||
12 25.9 | +33 32 | CVn | Brightest of several HII knots in |
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12 28.2 | +44 06 | CVn | Several giant HII regions are visible, the brightest is a well-defined patch on the N edge of the gx, 1.5’ from the center. | |||
12 59.0 | +34 51 | 0.35x0.30 | CVn | High surf br 15" knot at the SSW end of NGC 4861. Appears more prominent than the low surface brightness galaxy! | ||
14 04.5 | +54 24 | 0.9x0.7 | UMa | Highest surf br of many HII regions in |
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19 45.1 | -14 43 | 1.0x0.9 | Sgr | Following of 2 HII regions at the N end of Barnard’s galaxy. A mag 12 star lies 2’ SE. Mild contrast gain with OIII filter. |
Further Reading
- HII regions in Barnard’s Galaxy
- HII Regions Galore in M101 – Aug ‘04 S&T – Steve Gottlieb
- Images of HII regions - enter NGC 598, NGC 5457, NGC 2403, NGC 4861, NGC 2366, NGC 4395 here
9) Ancient, Giant Planetaries
Object | RA | Dec | Size | Mag | Const | Notes |
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01 07.2 | +73 33 | 300"x180" | Cas | Challenging planetary involved with a group of faint stars. Use an OIII filter and low power. |
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03 03.8 | +64 54 | 523" | 12 | Cas | This huge, ancient pn has an extremely low surf br, perhaps 8’ in diameter. | |
03 11.0 | +62 48 | 340" | Cas | Large, very low surface brightness glow surrounding 3 mag 11 stars, ~4’ in diameter. Use OIII filter and low power. |
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16 27.5 | +27 54 | 170" | 12.9 | Her | Relatively bright Abell planetary at least 2.5’ in diameter! Use an OIII filter. |
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18 25.0 | +00 52 | 475"x330" | 11.2 | Ser | Huge low surface brightness glow, perhaps 5’-6’ in diameter with an OIII filter. | |
19 02.0 | +02 09 | 124"x75" | 12.3 | Aql | Large, interesting PN with an OIII filter. Faint extension on S side and irregularities in the rim. |
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19 19.2 | +46 15 | 201" | 13.5 | Cyg | Large Abell pn spans 2.5’-3.0’ in diameter and irregularly lit. Situated in a rich Milky Way field. | |
19 46.6 | -23 09 | 134"x34" | 13.8 | Sgr | Relatively bright Abell pn, noticeably elongated NW-SE, appears similar to a low surf br gx. | |
20 50.1 | +13 33 | 134"x121" | 12.7 | Del | Large, 2’ disc with a mag 8 star just off the WSW edge! | |
23 35.9 | +30 28 | 314" | 12.1 | Peg | Huge annular planetary with 2 brighter arcs in the rim along the NNW and SSE sides giving a horseshoe shape. | |
23 47.8 | +51 24 | 147"x114" | 13 | Cas | Look for a 2’ disc with an OIII filter with a star embedded on the E side. |
Further Reading
- Abell Planetaries - lists, images, notes from Steve Gottlieb
- Eric Honeycutt’s Observations of Abell PN
- Jens Bohle survey of giant planetaries (in German)
- The Best Abell Planetary Nebulae - May ‘02 S&T - Eric Honeycutt
10) Quasars
Object | RA | Dec | Size | Mag | Const | Notes |
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08 31.7 | +52 45 | Stellar | 16.0 | Lyn | This mag 16 "star" is a superluminous QSO at a redshift of z = 3.9. Distance of ~12 billion l.y! |
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10 01.3 | +55 54 | Stellar | 16.5 | UMa | Gravitationally lensed twin quasars is 15’ NNW Components mag 16.5 and 16.7, separated by just 6". |
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10 50.6 | +80 12 | Stellar | 15.0 | Dra | Relatively bright and nearby quasar (z = 0.12) discovered in 1999 and visible as a mag 15.0 "star". | |
12 21.7 | +75 19 | Stellar | 14.5 | Dra | Markarian 205 is a 14.5-15 "star" 1’ S of Arp redshift controversy with possible bridge to NGC 4319. |
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12 29.1 | +02 03 | Stellar | 12.9 | Vir | Brightest quasar, relatively nearby at ~2 billion l.y. Appears as a mag 13 star in a triangle with mag 13.5 and 15 stars |
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14 26.9 | +60 26 | Stellar | 15.8 | UMa | Very distant mag 15.8 quasar (z = 3.165!) at a distance of roughly ~11.6 billion l.y. |
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16 34.5 | +70 32 | Stellar | 14.7 | Dra | Mag 14.7 "star" 1.6’ SE of a mag 13 star. This is a luminous, distant qsr with z = 1.34 (~8.9 billion l.y.) |
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17 19.6 | +48 04 | Stellar | 14.6 | Her | Mag 14.5 qsr at z = 1.08 and a light travel time of ~8 billion l.y. Forms S vertex of a small triangle with 2 mag 13 stars. |
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19 44.9 | +77 06 | Stellar | 15.9 | Dra | Superluminous mag 16 qsr at a distance of ~11.5 billion l.y. A nearby mag 16 star confuses the identification. |
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21 55.0 | -09 22 | Stellar | 14.0 | Cap | Recently discovered qsr (2001) is the 2nd brightest known at B = 13.9. At z = .19 is 20% more distant than 3C 273. |
Further Reading